Flight Safety Information
September 16, 2013 - No. 191
In This Issue
6 passengers fall ill on flight from Germany to O'Hare
Aviation Safety Graduate Research Survey
UN analysts assess risk at Mongolian aviation companies
New helipad approach system improves low-vis safety (Australia)
Police Seize Gun From Carry-On Bag At Airport
Customs from overseas is worst at JFK Airport: report
Delta flight bound for Detroit diverted due to odor inside the airplane
US puts DGCA on 45-day notice over air safety standards (India)
Think ARGUS PROS
Boeing Forecasts Growing Need for New Pilots in Asia Pacific Region
China opens world's highest civilian airport
POSITION WANTED...Looking for a New Opportunity
6 passengers fall ill on flight from Germany to O'Hare
Five people complained of chest pain on a flight from Germany to O'Hare Airport on Saturday night.
Lufthansa Flight 432, carrying 309 passengers from Frankfurt to Chicago, already had made an emergency
stop in London, where a passenger who had a heart attack was taken to a hospital, airline spokesman Nils
Haupt said Sunday night.
After the Boeing 747 took off from London to continue to Chicago, five other passengers complained of chest
pressure.
"The cases seemed unrelated," Haupt said. "Everything was fine with the aircraft, and there were no
complaints about food."
Three doctors who happened to be aboard the plane took care of them until the flight landed in Chicago, he
said.
One of the passengers was treated at the airport; none were seriously ill.
Two passengers were taken to Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center, according to the Chicago Fire
Department.
The plane returned to Frankfurt early Sunday morning, Haupt said.
http://www.suntimes.com/22582129-418/6-passengers-fall-ill-on-flight-from-germany-to-ohare.html
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Aviation Safety Graduate Research Survey
Dear Colleagues:
I am a PHD student at Northcentral University. I would like to invite you to participate
in a research study. The name of this study is titled
Examining Principle Core Competencies for Aviation Safety Professionals.
This study is in the area of Safety Management Systems and aviation
technologies. Your feedback will help evaluate core aviation safety competencies.
If you would like to participate, please check the Informed Consent Agreement Box at
the survey site.
The Survey is located at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CLCompetencySurveyStudy
If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you for your help in this
research.
Respectfully,
Curt Lewis
___________
Curtis L. Lewis
Doctoral Candidate - Northcentral University
1802 Briarcrest Lane
Arlington, TX 76012
Cell: 817-845-3983
Home: 817-303-9096
E-mail: curt@curt-lewis.com
Dr. Dalijit Singh
Dissertation Committee Chair
E-Mail: dsingh@ncu.edu
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UN analysts assess risk at Mongolian aviation companies
The United Nations sends its analysts to countries for assessments o politics, economics and food conditions in
order to ensure the health and safety of its workers all over the world. One of the UN's assessments is
conducted in the aviation sector, specifically looking at passenger safety as practiced by aviation companies
and during flights.
In the 1990s, the UN warned its workers not to use Mongolian aviation services, and use only other means of
transportation, as it ran high safety risks at the time.
But a recent evaluation by UN analysts gave MIAT Mongolian Airlines a rating of "B", which means passengers
shouldn't have concerns about MIAT's service. Eznis Airways also earned a "B", Aero Mongolia was given a "C"
rating, and the much criticized Khunnu Airways received a rather poor assessment due to its lack of an
airplane repair center.
The assessment is not for the public, but intended for UN workers worldwide.
Aeroflot, Korean Air and Turkish Airlines, which carry many Mongolian passengers, also received favorable
assessments.
http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=6052
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New helipad approach system improves low-vis safety (Australia)
An EC145 landing at the newly upgraded helipad. (Eurocopter)
Eurocopter has commissioned a high precision GPS-supported instrument approach procedure for the helipad
at its corporate headquarters at Donauwörth in Germany, becoming the first helipad in Europe to make use of
Localiser Performance with Vertical (LPV) guidance.
The new procedure supplements conventional lateral guidance systems by adding the vertical component,
which enables approach guidance to be displayed in 3D for the first time. The improved guidance enables
obstacles to be overflown with increased safety when visibility is poor.
The license permitting LPV approaches to the helipad also means Eurocopter in Donauwörth can use the new
procedure when testing and approving the latest navigation systems for use in its helicopters. Eurocopter is
currently conducting these tests using its twin-engine EC135 and EC145 T2 helicopters. Eurocopter will offer
training to its customers for the new system
Eurocopter's special on-site helicopter landing pad, which welcomes some 6,000 take-offs and landings a
year, is one of the few helipads in the world to have been certified as suitable for all-weather operations in
line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.
http://australianaviation.com.au/2013/09/new-helipad-approach-system-improves-low-vis-safety/
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Police Seize Gun From Carry-On Bag At Airport
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) - A Rexburg man who authorities say tried to bring a handgun onto a commercial
airliner in his carry-on bag at Idaho Falls Regional Airport has been cited and the weapon seized.
The Post Register reports that Transportation Security Administration officers spotted the unloaded 9 mm Kel-
Tec gun Thursday when 50-year-old Jeffrey Jones sent his luggage through the X-ray machine.
TSA spokeswoman Lorie Dankers says the weapon didn't appear to be intentionally hidden.
Idaho Falls Police spokeswoman Joelyn Hansen says officers had no reason to believe Jones intended to use
the weapon in the airport or on the plane.
Jones received a misdemeanor citation and was allowed to board the flight to Las Vegas.
The infraction carries a fine of up to $7,500.
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Customs from overseas is worst at JFK Airport: report
A Global Gateway Alliance study has found that it takes international passengers from 23 minutes to 2 hours
to get through customs.
International passengers arriving at JFK International experience the worst customs wait times of all major
airports in the country according to a new report.
Coming home from overseas through JFK Airport? Put aside an extra two hours for customs.
International fliers need between 23 to 120 minutes to get through Kennedy Airport's arrivals terminals, an
independent study revealed.
The study - conducted by Global Gateway Alliance, an airport watchdog group founded by Thor Equities CEO
Joe Sitt - found that the average delay at JFK during the summer was less than a half hour.
But the average maximum delay - during peak hours in August - topped out at a whopping two hours.
More than 3.2 million arriving travelers have gone through customs at JFK this year, more than any airport in
the country.
"You've got an eight-hour flight with your family and you're standing on line for two hours just trying to get
out of the airport," said Stephen Sigmund, executive director for Global Gateway.
"More than an hour is considered an extreme wait and JFK has more extreme waits than any other airport,"
said Sigmund.
The next four busiest airports had much shorter maximum wait times, with Chicago's O'Hare Airport (44
minutes), Newark (42) and Miami International and Los Angeles International (both 40) rounding out the top
five.
Signs to make passengers aware of US Customs and Border Protection officers watch over passengers arriving
Terminal 4 at JFK Airport. Officers are constantly looking for drug mules.
Even during peak hours, O'Hare's customs delay of 74 minutes was far less than JFK's.
To fix the problem, the Global Gateway Alliance wants JFK to get automated kiosks like ones used in O'Hare
Airport so agents are not filling out and processing general customs and declaration forms by hand.
They also recommend more staffing at JFK and an on-call rapid response team to help when lines get too
long. The watchdog group also wants to eliminate preclearance facilities in unnecessary locations. The
changes would improve wait times yet not sacrifice security, the group claims.
"It's bad and it's been bad for a long period of time," said Sigmund.
Officials for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol did not return requests for comment but told The News in July
that they are working with air carriers and airport officials to enhance operations.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/customs-overseas-worst-jfk-airport-report-article-
1.1456882#ixzz2f3fLDq2G
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Delta flight bound for Detroit diverted due to odor inside the airplane
DETROIT (WXYZ) - A Delta Airlines flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Detroit was diverted to Dublin due to a
strong odor inside the plane.
Delta tells 7 Action News that Flight 143 landed safely at Dublin International Airport, "After diverting out of
an abundance of caution."
"The flight landed without incident and passengers deplaned normally. We apologize for the inconvenience
and an alternate aircraft has been dispatched for customer reaccommodation," the airline said in a statement.
http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/delta-flight-bound-for-detroit-diverted-due-to-odor-inside-
the-airplane#ixzz2f3dsOQiP
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US puts DGCA on 45-day notice over air safety standards (India)
There may be no more new flights to the US if the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) fails to raise
air safety standards within the next 45 days.
Unhappy with the results of its audit, the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA), the US aviation safety
regulator, has threatened to downgrade India, s aid civil aviation ministry sources.
This could mean increased restrictions on Air India and Jet Airways, the two domestic airlines operating US-
bound flights, and major inconvenience to passengers.
The restrictions could also mean that Indian airlines will not be allowed to increase flight operations to the US.
"Delay in appropriate action by the DGCA has resulted in this situation," said Vipul Saxena, independent
aviation expert.
"It is high time that the ministry of civil aviation intervenes and ensures that all the concerns raised by the
FAA are addressed immediately. This will not only protect India's reputation, but also the commercial interest
of Indian scheduled operators and the tourism sector."
Other air safety experts concurred.
Captain Mohan Ranganthan, member of the government-appointed Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council, said
complacency in safety measures brings the threat of downgrades
"Now, Air India and Jet Airways might face worldwide surprise checks by FAA inspectors," said Ranganthan.
Ministry sources, however said India's improved grades at the review audit conducted by the United Nation's
aviation watchdog last month could help the DGCA.
"The Inter national Civil Aviation Organisation team was satisfied with their latest audit. The DGCA might use
that to earn some brownie points," said a senior ministry official.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/US-puts-DGCA-on-45-day-notice-over-air-safety-
standards/Article1-1122657.aspx
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Boeing Forecasts Growing Need for New Pilots in Asia Pacific Region
- Nearly 200,000 new commercial airline pilots required over 20 years
- Large demand also seen for airline maintenance technicians
SINGAPORE, Sept. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing projects the Asia Pacific region will continue to lead the
globe in demand for hundreds of thousands of new commercial airline pilots and maintenance technicians to
support expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades.
The 2013 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook, a bellwether industry forecast of aviation personnel demand, calls
for 192,300 new commercial airline pilots and 215,300 new technicians in the Asia Pacific region through
2032.
"There is a very real, urgent demand for competent aviation personnel globally, and the Asia Pacific region is
particularly impacted," said Bob Bellitto, global sales director, Boeing Flight Services. "While Boeing is
investing in cutting-edge technologies to attract and retain young people interested in careers in aviation, this
is an industry-wide issue that can only be solved with industry-wide solutions."
Leading the region in projected demand for new pilots and technicians:
China - 77,400 pilots and 93,900 technicians
Southeast Asia - 48,100 pilots and 50,300 technicians
Other parts of the region will also continue to see long-term demand in the tens of thousands of pilots and
technicians:
Southwest Asia will need 30,900 pilots and 28,500 technicians
Northeast Asia will need 18,500 pilots and 25,500 technicians
The Oceania region will need 17,400 pilots and 17,100 technicians
"Aviation is a great field to be in. We have a responsibility to make sure it's a viable career option for the
world's youth," said Bellitto. "Tomorrow's aviation workforce is going to be very different than their present-
day peers. We need to focus on their expectations for learning, moving away from paper and chalkboard-
based techniques to incorporate tablets, eBooks, gaming technology and three-dimensional models."
The Pilot & Technician Outlook is closely tied to projections for new airplane deliveries around the globe. As it
does with personnel demand, the Asia Pacific region also leads the demand for new commercial airplane
deliveries over the next 20 years, with 12,820 new airplanes needed by 2032 according to Boeing's 2013
Current Market Outlook.
In April 2013, Boeing announced the decision to install two new full-flight simulators-a 777 and Next-
Generation 737-at its Singapore training campus. The simulators are expected to be ready for training in early
to mid-2014. The added 737 training capability will help meet demand as customers in Southeast Asia as well
as, Japan, Korea and China take delivery of new airplanes. Airlines in China and Indonesia, as well as in the
Middle East and Africa, will benefit from the increased 777 training capacity.
More information on the 2013 Pilot & Technician Outlook is available at
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/cmo/pilot_technician_outlook.html
http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/13/09/n3913831/boeing-forecasts-growing-need-for-new-pilots-in-
asia-pacific-region#ixzz2f3ZJoXdS
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China opens world's highest civilian airport
The 1.58 billion yuan ($258 million) airport, designed to handle 280,000 passengers a year, will help open up
the nearby Yading Nature Reserve to tourism
China opened the world's highest civilian airport on Monday, in a restive and remote Tibetan region of
southwestern Sichuan province, which will cut journey times from the provincial capital from two days to a
little more than one hour.
Daocheng airport in Garzi, a heavily ethnic Tibetan part of Sichuan, is 4,411 meters (14,472 feet) above
sea level, and overtakes Qamdo airport in Tibet, which sits at 4,334 metres above sea level, for the title of
world's highest.
The official Xinhua news agency said flights would initially connect with Chengdu, the provincial capital,
otherwise a two-day bus trip away. Flights to cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing will begin
at a later date.
The 1.58 billion yuan ($258 million) airport, designed to handle 280,000 passengers a year, will help open up
the nearby Yading Nature Reserve to tourism, Xinhua added, referring to an area renowned for its untouched
natural beauty.
China has embarked upon a multi-billion-dollar programme in recent years to revamp old airports and build
new ones, especially in the remote west, as a way of boosting the economy.
Some of these airports have been located in Tibetan regions, whose population chafes at Chinese political
control, and often have a dual military purpose so troops can be bought in quickly during periods of unrest.
Garzi has been the scene of numerous self-immolation protests against Chinese rule in the last three years or
so and remains under tight security.
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=118076
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POSITION WANTED
Looking for a New Opportunity
Experienced current Gulfstream and Challenger pilot looking for a new opportunity in the cockpit with strong
safety management and training skills.
Professional, customer- and safety-focused aviator with 16 years of experience in domestic and international
flight operations seeking a permanent position or contract work. Current Type Ratings in the GV series
(V/550/450) and Challenger 604/605. San Diego based. Over 8000 total hours, 2800 turbine PIC, 1000 G-
550, and 500 CL 604/605. Current China Validation.
Hands-on experience in development of FRMS and SMS, Threat and Error Management, and Standards and
Training. NBAA committee member on the International Operators Conference Planning Group, Safety and
Access Committees.
Nat Iyengar, San Diego, CA, USA
Tel: +1-219-616-3135 / Email: natiyengar@earthlink.net
Professional Profile
Curt Lewis